Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /LGS A-Level OCR Biology - Unit 4 - Communicable Disease, Disease Prevention and the Immune System Part 6
LGS A-Level OCR Biology - Unit 4 - Communicable Disease, Disease Prevention and the Immune System Part 6
This deck covers key concepts from Unit 4 of the OCR Biology syllabus, focusing on communicable diseases, disease prevention, and the immune system. It includes definitions and explanations of various types of immunity, vaccination strategies, and the importance of biodiversity in medicine.
Artificial immunity
Achieved through medical intervention
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Artificial immunity
Achieved through medical intervention
Natural active immunity
Achieved as a result of infection
Active artificial immunity
Achieved as a result of vaccination
Passive natural immunity
Antibodies provided via the placenta or via breast milk
Passive artificial immunity
Provided by infection of antibodies made by another individual
Vaccinations
Deliberately exposing the body to antigenic material to trigger long-term immunity (through activation of the specific immune response leading to memo...
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Artificial immunity | Achieved through medical intervention |
Natural active immunity | Achieved as a result of infection |
Active artificial immunity | Achieved as a result of vaccination |
Passive natural immunity | Antibodies provided via the placenta or via breast milk |
Passive artificial immunity | Provided by infection of antibodies made by another individual |
Vaccinations | Deliberately exposing the body to antigenic material to trigger long-term immunity (through activation of the specific immune response leading to memory cells) |
Types of antigenic material | Whole live organisms that aren't as harmful as ones causing the disease but have same antigens - cowpox for smallpox virus; Harmless or attenuated - Measles; Dead pathogen - cholera; Antigens from the pathogen - Hepatitis B; Toxoid - Tetanus |
Toxoid | Harmless version of a toxin |
Attenuated | Weakened |
Herd vaccinations | Using a vaccine that provides immunity to all/nearly all at risk. To achieve this 80-95% of the population has to be vaccinated |
Ring vaccination | Used when new case of disease is reported; | Only those in immediate vicinity are vaccinated |
When do epidemics rise | When some pathogens undergo genetic mutations which change their antigens so the memory cells may not remember them |
Pandemics | Worldwide epidemics |
How are pandemics avoided | Epidemics are closely monitored on a global level so that new strains can be identified and controlled |
Source of penicillin | Penicillium |
Source of morphine | Unripe poppy seeds |
Source of aspirin | Willow-bark extract |
Why do we still need new drugs | New diseases emerging; Many diseases w/ no effective treatments; Some antibiotic treatments are becoming ineffective |
Why is it important to maintain biodiversity in terms of medicines | To make sure we don't destroy a plant, animal or microorganisms which could give us a life-saving drug |
Personalised medicines | Once gene sequencing technology is fully developed it will be possible to sequence the genes from individuals with particular conditions and develop specific drugs fro their condition |
Pharmacogenomics | The science of interweaving knowledge of drug actions with personal genetic material |
Synthetic biology | We can genetically modify microorganisms or plants to contain a gene that produces a beneficial protein e.g. bacteria are modified to produce human insulin |
Antibiotics | Drugs that interfere with the metabolism of bacteria without the metabolism of human cells - selective toxicity |
Polymixines | Makes holes in bacterium cell membrane --> altering permeability |
Penicillin and cephalosporins | Weaken the peptidoglycan cell wall so bacterium can be more easily damaged by immune system |
Why is antibiotic resistance growing | Overusing antibiotics in both the health sector (prescribing when unnecessary) in meat industry |
How does antibiotic resistance develop | Random mutation; Selection pressure (adding antibiotics); Those with mutations that allow resistance survive & reproduce, others die; Next generation has more individuals with the characteristic (resistance) |
Examples of resistance | MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)| Clostridium difficile |
What can we do about antibiotic resistance | Promote good hygiene in hospitals, care homes and in general prevent spread of resistant strains Use new, innovative ways of developing antibiotics (computer modelling and/or looking for new sources of medicine in unusual places); Educate public and healthcare professionals to minimise use of antibiotics and ensure all courses of antibiotics are completed |
Lymphocyte involved in cell mediated response | T cells |
Lymphocytes involves in humoral response | B cells |
What are interleukins used for | Cell signalling in the specific immune response |
Blood smear analysis | Most cells are RBC as they have no nucleus; | Darker cells are neutrophils |
Types of cytokines | Monokines - attract neutrophils; | Interleukins - released by t helper cells and activate B cells |
Why may some people experience discomfort in their armpits after an infection | Excess tissue fluid drained to lymph nodes; | Pathogens in tissue fluid enter lymph |
B effector cells | B lymphocytes that divide to form plasma cell clones |